Sunday, May 9, 2010

During my recent Spring-cleaning effort, I was astonished at the volume of AoL materials I had amassed over the years. Boxes of unused flyers and promotional materials, file after file of course documentation and accounting paperwork, piles of course registration forms, shelves of books with rs’s face prominently displayed on the cover (with his characteristic “I am enlightened” expression), boxes of tapes and CDs of “knowledge” or satsang music, name tags, note cards, and other assorted course supplies had lined my storage unit and invaded my office and living spaces for years. As I sorted through it all, and took a good look at each piece of evidence of my long-term and deep involvement with AoL, I was reminded of the countless hours and dollars I had wasted on a facade. But instead of feeling the usual resentment toward AoL and rs for taking advantage of mine (and others’) good intentions, I was overcome with a sense of liberation as I hauled all that stuff to the dumpster. When I reflect on the events that have brought me to this point, a place I would have never imagined coming to even a year ago, I am left wondering why I didn’t wipe AoL out of my life even sooner.

It has taken quite a while for me to wean myself away from AoL, and at times I needed support from others to get through it. It took at least two years of reluctant involvement with the org and suppressing that feeling of “something’s not quite right” for me to finally take the plunge and announce that I was leaving. What really helped me in that transition phase was the support and encouragement I got from loved ones (who saw right through the cult from the very first day), and the space provided by the Guruphiliac blog to share my experiences. It took two months after that initial decision to leave AoL for me to stop doing the kriya altogether. It had been such a deeply ingrained habit--I rarely missed a day in 6 years. At first, I was afraid that I would lose my “centeredness” and “glow” after sadhana. All it took was a little research into the effects of hyperventilation on the body for me to realize that sk is harmful, and to drop it completely. And believe it or not, I am still very centered, and I have since been complemented on my “glow”, so I gather that there was never any connection. It took me another month or so to start eating meat again, and another several months to take a sip of champagne at a wedding—my first sip of alcohol after many many years. And no, I have not gotten depressed, drained of energy, eaten by doubts, or turned into a pumpkin due to “low prana”. Quite the opposite, actually, I have never felt more healthy and alive.

I realize that during the past several months, I have been in the process of re-building myself. Through the years I had been involved with AoL, I gradually allowed the aol dogma and the herd mentality to overwrite my own independent thinking. I became one of those puppet aol teachers who wore light-colored clothes and a plastic smile while parroting the dogma. But on the inside, I would be suppressing my own preferences, desires, and “negative” emotions such as fear and anger. Anytime I needed to make a big life decision, I was encouraged by “senior” teachers to seek guidance from “Guruji” in the form of a private conversation (if I was lucky), or an e-mail (I was told he reads them all), or a prayer (because apparently he answers them all). I did what “Guruji” and the teachers and the group expected of me, and in that process, I forgot who I was. To this day, I still cannot recall the old me who got lost, and I find myself left having to fill in the blanks to re-build my own personality.

Just a year ago, I would have told you that I hate onions and garlic (because they have “low prana”), that coffee is bad for you, that I don’t like to wear black, and the best thing to do in the morning is to wake up really early to do an hour of sadhana. For that reason, I would have advised you to do an AoL course whether you were suffering from marital difficulties or constipation, and I might have even paid your way if I thought you really “needed” it. Now, I have discovered that I love the taste of onion and garlic, I look great in black (and actually prefer it), and I still like to wake early--not to do any sort of practice, but rather to sip on a nice cup of coffee and get my day started right away so I can be productive. And certainly, I would advise anyone against doing an AoL course lest you get sucked into a cult that can cause plenty of physical and mental damage.

It has been so very liberating to be free of aol, and I have not since felt compelled to pursue any form of replacement spiritual practice (even though I had been meditating in some form or other since I was a teenager). Now, I live by the “golden rule” that we all learned in the first grade (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”), and so far, it has guided me quite well.

38 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I agree with you and applaud you on this successful walkover to the real world.You know.. and we all are very well aware of it - everyone every single being - loves money, good food, good drink, all the gadgets n technology, going to fancy places, eating onion or drinking coffee - n there is nothing wrong in any of it - unless we cross the limits.The goodness is in accpeting these desires and let them be -unlike all the ashramites, swamis, teachers, singers of AOL who indulge in all this and more but will never accept it openly with diginity that this is me, this is what i like...and of course dont we all know that they enjoy all this thanks to our hard earned money.I can myself name atleast 50 such people very popular ones(of course in aol only) who have many such desires and indulgence which definetely don't suit their so called profession as preachers teachers singers etc in AOL...being spiritual is one thing , but teaching and living that spirituality is a different ball game..i wonder where when and how AOL lost the whole essence ...they say fake it till you make it , but i feel being real is impt...is a fake swami/saint any better than a cheater/criminal.Having a pure conscience, and remembering your own individuality and evolving oneself -living in the real world is impt....WHAT SAY??

Just to say hats off to u for this.. and even though i am an indian and i have been in such kind of situation not AOL , albeit it was a big shot Jainism guru ... due to my dads insistence and i had to spend my 6 years on the same type of situation what many of the commentators and you yourself were in ....

To be honest with you , 90% are rogue charlatans and i know how lavishly my dad used to spend his money on seva of his guru... and in college when i requested a new pair of shoes ,i was told simple living ,high thinking should me the mantra... this is around 1998 and now i am in my late 20's and luckily i rebelled and even though i was not able to go to US for my Masters as my dear dad had spend way too much on his guru and he had told him that i was the devil....

but this year on my own earnings i plan to shift to the country of my dreams... and make my future.... but in short all this Gurus and all know that we indians and at times seekers from west are way too emotional and would fall for any crap ... its such a easy way of churning money for free...

I never did this,,, but the followers of my dads guru were such dumbos that they used to clean his legs and drink the water and milk panchamrat as divine water....

Thanks for this ture account about AOL and she she as my friend in baglore he workd for an high end chip manufacturer and he was through his firm was supposed to go to a camp next week by AoL after spending 15k for it... but i send him ur blog url and he cancelled it...

Keep up the good work and sadly i am not sure any thing would happen to any fake gurus herein india...as all are in cohorts with one another ...

IN the above comment i forgot to mention... my friend had sentme this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8SBDdIED1I&feature=related and i was too sick of watching this nonsense i posted the comments above....

Great read and thank you for the honesty and sincerity that I felt was reflected in the blog. I get what you are saying about the CDs, books, DVDs ... I don't even want to count the amount of money I wasted, and all my time, and all those social commitments that I said no to because I HAD to be involved in some seva/flyering/PR nonsense.

But here's a question for you and anyone else who has experienced my state. I am a recent rebel ... and still unsure what to do next on this front. I got used to the kriya in the mornings, and would love to replace it with something systemic so I can maintain a discipline, not sure what that should be. I too like to get up early, enjoy my tea and newspaper or indulge in running occasionally. Not sure what route to take, I certainly don't want to waste my time and money on another (fake) master, but yoga, may be. Any suggestions?

1. Photos and other physical devices are used to anchor psychic hooks into your subconscious through your emotional attachment.

2. Excessive kriya pumps up the light body and divorces the person from their natural life and thus fractures the self from the stream of life and the consciousness expansion they came into this incarnation to experience.

3.The New energies entering Earth are requiring us all to be fully grounded.

4. Non tamasic food prevents proper grounding and further fractures the disciple from the stream of life. Earth is one of the essential elements of our makeup, our DNA. How can you be balanced, and here now, when your body is deprived of a quarter of of its natural energetic needs?

5. Probably the greatest problem humans have created for themselves is to look for love in someone else rather than to love themselves

6. The other great problem we are grappling with is one of power. Humans have looked to others for their power and become preoccupied with who has got it and how to get it. If we stopped looking towards others and looked to nature She has it in abundance and it is inexhaustible. Instead of look for love, approval and healing from other people just sit under a tree. You will get it instantly. The more you are open to any aspect of your world the more she/he gives. You do not have to go anywhere, pay any money, believe any story. The more you love a flower, a bird an insect the more it will give to you. The world, and in fact the Universe, is a guru that asks nothing of you but gives its all unconditionally. Let it be your source of healing and knowledge.

7. Much of the Indian practices are outmoded in the present leading edge of creation. Some are very useful to start the seeker on their journey. They were developed and appropriate for an age when the opportunity to break into the Light of Self was hidden, hard to find, and required a certain exclusiveness. Now times are totally different and the Light from the Great Central Sun of our galaxy is pouring into everyone. It is now about being here and learning to anchor the Light in our bodies, in our emotions and in our thoughts. It is available to everyone and there are no more gurus with exclusive access through their dedicated and often extreme practices. Why can't the path be easy?It is about loving yourself totally and through your own experience of it sharing your joy. No one can give it to you because you already have it. It is about learning to trust yourself and the Universe.

No where in my article did I say I was "pro alcohol" or against any spiritual path. Taking a sip of champagne at a wedding hardly makes me "pro-alcohol", and refraining from doing sk, a practice that I have discovered is harmful, hardly means I am against spiritual practices in general.

If I am pro anything, it is having the freedom to decide for myself what is best for me in each moment. And if I am against anything, it is this "one-size-fits-all" packaging of spiritual ideals and practices that is handed down as a prescription to everyone for anything from severe ailment to minor discomfort.

For years, I have been involved in a cult that had infiltrated almost every aspect of my life, right down to my daily routines and food choices. On reflection, I have found that a crucial part of my recovery has been to question every decision I once made based on that old programming, and re-decide if it is truly a reflection of who/what I want to be. And realizing I have a choice again is very liberating.

I don't care much for alcohol, and I don't know if I will be replacing my former "spiritual discipline" for something else. I do agree, it is important to have discipline in life. Who's to say something like engaging in a regular exercise routine is inferior to daily yoga and meditation? Perhaps next, I'll take up a sport.

Yourdad, Anon, etc. My dear sweethearts, Your comments are not "inconvenient", we have been very kind as to publish them so far. Not true "only ungrounded, negative opinions allowed" otherwise your comments in the past or that of the many AoLers who leave note in their attempt to police and negate the blog and those who have left, would have not been published. See. Not agreeing that Ravishankar is God and AoL the best NGO in the world does not make one NEGATIVE. Adhere to "opposite values are complimentary", "accept people as they are", and " don't see intentions". But mostly, please remember "love is our very own nature." Many months ago, in some article, I stated I would no longer post aggressive comments coming from AoL sick minds to police and undermind the experience of those who have left. It is disturbing for those who are seeking for healing, and it is embarrassing for the AoL and "guru" RS who are trying to project a message of peace and love. The more you try to debate and attack, understand the more credibility it gives blogs such as these. RS has already asked for TWO blogs to be created to neutralize this one: artoflivingvalues.blogspot.com created by his US board team: John Osborne, Mikey, Patti ... is this a joke or what? Why is Ravishankar SO nervous? Wasn't it "truth prevails"? Anyway, I am glad to know one little personal blog has created such a noise in the enlightened. So, yourdad, anons and etc. believe me, noone in this blog will miss you nor do they feel more educated with your comments. My first commitment is to those who are seeking for healing. Find peace in "your knowledge" and stop "trying" to live it. Do it ;) Thank you for your collaboration.

The aolvalues blog is such a pathetic effort. Klim, congragulations this blog has really unruffled these scamsters. The AOL blog looks quite similar to the Nithyananda's parallel universe blog which was started when the Nithya cult blogspot started exposing the fraud. Hope more people realize the con of Ravi Ravi soon. The AOLvalues blog will help to acheive this soon.

superb reply klim... peace.. love.. happiness.. healing.. freedom... we arent forcing anyone to believe us here..but the sane one's will realize that we aren't cooking up stories on this blog.. its just venting out our personal experience with one and all..rememeber tat share ur life story with all..tats all we are doing here..

During a news interview, on being asked. "Do you have political ambitions?" SSRS replied as below.

"That is too small for me. If I got into politics, I would be doing an injustice to the field I am in. Getting into politics will downgrade my status!"

WOW! A guru is so concern about his status! Obviously, looting people, enslaving minds and amassing money from the devotees is more lucrative than dirty politics which he anyway plays in his own organization.

You can read the full interview here. http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Ne300607You_Have_To_Run.asp

The artoflivingvalues blog makes a good point - we should practice what we preach.

It also appears that the board is taking actions to make financial transparency a greater priority for the organization. According to the blog, all reports are made available on guidestar.

Maybe it is possible that the board is willing to listen to your concerns. Klim, the organization is doing some good work, have you considered crafting a post outlining your vision for a more positive AOL. I'm pretty certain you do not wish to be involved with AOL any further, but maybe some constructive feedback from your self and other posters of this blog could help the organization improve, so that in future no one would have the type of negative experiences that yourself and many others have had.

Again, all these opinions posing as facts and seeing conspiracies where there are none. And the constant lament of "I am a victim of AOL" Grow up child! You allowed AOL to impact you as a cult. You gave-up your individual responsibility. There are many people in AOL who accept responsibility for themselves and are fine with AOL. Also, have you ever heard of Jung's concept of "enantiodromia"? That is what this blog is about. You repressed your negative feelings while you were in AOL and now you have flipped to the opposite side, repressing any positive feelings towards AOL. Also, do you really think people will believe a person who once denied any wrong in AOL and now is just doing the opposite? I hope most people see through this utter lack of spiritual discernment. Hopefully this experience will AOL will help you assume responsibility for yourself in the future. But perhaps not with this extremism and lack of reasoned discourse. I have posted severel times on here trying to have a reasoned discussion and each post has never shown up despite what you say. You simply don't want to have a rational conversation.

Dear KlimIt has been a few Months even before I came to know of the Blog I was on my way out of AOL.....It has been observed whenever Rs is there than of all the people around male /female most of time are singles...let me clarify one person from a couple is there . be it male or Female ( unmarried Or divorced Or not living with there husband )....Both the partners you rarely find in RS presence....Basically speaking families have broken up who have unknowingly thought of him as god and give there full time to Aol I have been always confused about that but through your Blog many things have become clearer. I am enjoying my free time with the Family neglected till now...Thanx for your efforts

Anon@7:55PMAnd you are rational??? Oops, sorry. I forgot that those who see the light in AoL and regard RS as the best are true enlightened, more evolved, intelligent beings. Beg my pardon. We will try to be more reasonable and rational since we have lost our critical thinking when we decided AoL is a cult and RS a con-man.

anon@7:22PMYes, we should practice what we preach ... we are waiting to see that in AoL and especially, Ravishankar. And we do hope it happens. It can always happen. It does not mean once bad, always bad. But no, we are not looking forward to helping them improve the organization. We already did, not only help improve but start it up, got abused and cheated in the way, and worse, harassed and threatened in the way. If they want our feedback and assessment, at least, we shall never do it for free anymore! If they are that good and all knowing we are sure they can figure it out. It is about that. After all, it's been more than 25 yrs. Is it that only close to 30 yrs they are realizing they need to improve and that people will ask for financial transparency and of other things too? Does that mean they thought they could con people for a lot more years? We are glad this little blog contributed at least in one way other than fearing them to the degree of threats and two blogs (for now). Congrats!

Anon 7:55 PM:I think you're missing the point. It's not important if anyone on this blog considers him or herself a victim. To me, what's most important is that anyone feeling abused and getting out of a cult deserves kindness and compassion.

When a woman calls the Women's Resource hotline after being abused, does the hotline operator tell her "get over it lady. It's your fault, you're just calling yourself a victim?"No. The hotline operator may not know for sure the woman's been abused because she doesn't know her. But, she's kind because it's someone in need. Abuse is abuse. This situation is no different than that abuse hotline.

Some people here felt abused. That is their experience and this is a good place to share their stories. What better place to show empathy and kindness than this blog?

"Also, do you really think people will believe a person who once denied any wrong in AOL and now is just doing the opposite?"

Absolutely. What better person to believe? These people are knowledgeable and wise. To humbly admit to ignoring the wrongs of AOL and then to get out and change, takes a strong person.

Con is a strong word. Most of the people i've met in AOL seem to be well intentioned and certainly they have taken notice of this blog. (however, i have not seen as much of the inner workings of AOL as you).

Their are many good people in aol who probably do not appreciate being labeled as cons. I do not think that word is entirely appropriate. AOL like most organizations has a marketing and PR division that tries to show there work in the best of light - it's marketing and spin, to promote and grow the organization, that's all.

Unless both the spouses are AOL teachers , mentally enslaved into the organization or married through AOL, the relationship and marriage are bound to become weak and fail. This has been seen repeatedly through numerous cases.All SK practice and the AOL fake seva-propaganda will distance one from the family and other personal responsibility. If you want to widen the divide or guarantee a divorce in a strained relationship, then it is time to signup for the next course.The reason is very simple -SK will distance one away from the emotional aspect of the relationship and create a distance from the real issues at hand and the local AOL teams will finalize the divide by taking one deep down AOL seva aka propaganda, course flyering, intro talk or some shit ass foot soldier work with the bait of a special seating - meeting with RS. This is the time the hurt individual needs to be attending to the familial relationship and not display indifference or distance one from family.Don't forget you will also be asked to signup the other partner to AOL as well.You will be leached and bleached emotionally,financially, timewise leading to total severence or more strain in relationship .And after completing this sequence , you will be reminded of your karma by the AOL teachers and how it needs to be sucked up. Does all this sound familiar to anyone?

By now you have signed all the disclosures, ending-ended your relationship, lost your time,lost your wallet, encouraged more people to signup for next course

You people are absolutely pathetic in your unending, irrational criticism of AOL and SSRS. I'd love to have a serious, rational discussion with what you found wrong with AOL, but all I get is sarcasm, hyperbole, innuendo and defensive harangues. Your "all bad" position is just as absurd as you former "all good" position. All relationship are complex and subtle but you want to see them as black and white. Complete lack of discernment. You are not interested in the "truth", but simply are engaging in a polemic. Most of you, not all, are spiritual lost. You gave personal responsibility over to a fantasy you had regarding your big daddy guru and when this fantasy was contradicted, you rejected everything. You won't take any responsibility for yourselves and blame the big bad AOL for everything that happened to you. What children (except for Zhoro). Especially Kim and Co. and Humble Witness.Oh, boo-hoo look what they did to me. They made me do it, I'm not responsible. What extraordinary ultimate victims you are! Thanks for warning us about how intrinsically horrible AOL is and that big meanie, SSRS, who sits in a corner, cackling as he plots his next financial scam to rake millions from his duped followers.

No, Kim and Co. You can't get away with another lie. You stated that SSRS told Mikey to start a counter blog to yours. I asked you where this information came from and instead of answering you made a sarcastic comment. Tell me where this information came from. I already know: you made it up. Please prove me wrong and I will eat humble pie. You know for a fact that SSRS told people to start a counter blog? Okay, where did this information come from? Just a simple, straight answer, please.

Anon @ 1:44/1:50PMStop whining and take criticism well. Are you asking from with the intellect or with the heart? Remember that if it comes from the intellect, a question will follow another and another and another. Make it a wonder! We ask for the same evidence you ask for. We are not hurting nor cheating anyone, and definitely we are not coming out to say we are enlightened beings saving the world with wonderful seva projects where all the millions we are sucking out of people go to. Ask your people for the evidence, produce the evidence, and words like "con" are just words. "God loves fun, chapter 1" - words are futile. Take criticism well. It is for your growth. Thank you.

Well said Klim. I love it when you reply to them in their own language! Maybe that would make it easier for them to digest! (Doesn't seem logic or common sense making any dent in their brain-washed understanding!) Besides they can't say it is B.S., as that is all RS's words!And one has to tell them to go & post their trash in http://artoflivingvalues.blogspot.com/And ask Mikey & Johnny & Jimmy & Patty (AOL president & ex-president& board members)to answer their questions. They should know where all the money goes (including inside their own pockets!).The Indian blog artoflivingfreefree is as good as dead after the major PR disaster it was.Their new blog will soon follow in the same fate!!In the meantime it is full of free entertainment!!

You've made strong allegations against the board, do you have some sort of insider knowledge, or are these allegations baseless? I would hope before making such a strong statement, that it can be backed with evidence, otherwise it is libel, not free speech.

I have posted on the ArtofLivingValues site and it seems to me that it is an genuine effort of those in charge to address some of the issues raised in this blog. Why not engage in a constructive dialogue? Here is an opportunity.

That reality is, AOL foundation and IAHV will remain, whether this blog exists or not. This is an opportunity for posters of this blog to have a voice, i believe this blog has served as a wake up call to those in charge, and it has also been a place of healing for those with negative experiences with AOL. Now is an opportunity to make sure others involved in AOL do not have negative experiences like the ones you have been through.

I have neither an affiliation with AOL, nor have i been wronged by AOL, but i do and have expressed sympathy to those who feel spiritually abused, and also, see that through this undertaking of Klim, AOL may realize how some people have been negatively affected and can address these concerns and grievances.

When first set of posters to a blog are the presidents and board members, you don't need proof to make a reasonable assumption that RS (CEO) must have been involved. KLIM might have more sources of information but we don't need any more explicit proof so don't drag this issue and go back to selling more courses.

Someone mentioned in earlier Posts that, former teacher Rhea Pillai has left AOL.Read the latest news:Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is the ancient pracitce that enables you to know your Mantra..naturally and simply open yourself to the profound peace that lies within.Conducted by Rhea Pillai, from the art of living foundation DATE:,20-22 May TIME :3-5pm VENUE:Nepean Sea Road.

@Anon 9:33 PMWhy don't you say your name or at least the alias you said you used to write to artoflivingvalues (By the way, which values? fleecing people in name of spirituality, using charity money for lavish b’day parties for enlightened guru?!!To me a more appropriate name for that blog is AOLFreeOfAnyValues!)What are you scared of? Or are you one of the board members themselves? Too shy to say so, but so valiantly having come to their defence? Who are you trying to fool?You say you have no affiliation with AOL. Sure, sure, what a pathetic statement! You wouldn’t have visited this blog let alone write such a defensive & offensive reply to my comment, if you were not affiliated with AOL. One thing to say for AOL lackeys is that they have not been endowed with much intelligence & they assume everyone else is a fool like themselves & they perpetually try to deceive others!Your comment here, like both those pathetic counter-blogs, only doing more damage & exposing RS/AOL more, rather than doing any damage control. You gave the show away by saying the US counter blog is a “ genuine effort of those in charge to address some of the issues raised in this blog.”At least something we both agree on, that their blog IS A COUNTER_BLOG against Klim’s blog! How pathetic is that? What are they scared of, to the extent that the president & ex-president & board members themselves have come out writing a blog in defence of RS?! I would say, that in itself shows “guilty as charged” & give credence to everything exposed re RS in this blog. They wouldn’t be so scared if they believed there is no truth to the things written in this blog. They know they have been exposed for what they really are & that is their pathetic attempt to do damage control.They first tried with artoflivingfreefree counter-blog & man, what a disaster that was. In that one they had to change a post three times. And they were so pathetic they even dedicated the blog to KLIM & publicly saying so. What a promotion for KLIM’s blog that was & giving credibility to the truth of his blog. After that aborted counter-blogging attempt, next they came up with this new US blog, this time having learned their lessons (they do read KLIM’s blog, you know!!! In spite of their busy schedules!), they didn’t publicly promote KLIM’s blog or saying this is an Anti-Klim blog. And here you are spilling the beans. Of course we knew that was the case, but good to have confirmation from you, “Mr. No affliation with AOL”.continued in the next comment...

You say (like any AOL Lackey would say) that “That reality is, AOL foundation and IAHV will remain, whether this blog exists or not.”I bet Nithyanand lackeys would say the same thing until few months back. Well, “Mr. No affiliation with AOL”, I have news for you, AOL foundation & IAHV will fall by year 2012, if not sooner, whether this blog exists or not, and whether RS & his lackeys come up with two counter-blogs or fifty. RS should use some of the money he fleeces from innocent people in the name of charity for upgrading Bangalore jail’s facilities, as he will soon end up enjoying them! No point in building himself so many mansions & all those real estates he & Bhanu & Sumeru real estate are buying or building & selling!Who knows one of his ex-teachers may even volunteer to come & teach him prison smart course & talk to him about human values!And so kind of you to acknowledge KLIM : “ i believe this blog has served as a wake up call to those in charge, and it has also been a place of healing for those with negative experiences with AOL.”Which wake up call? Coming up with two pathetic counter-blogs to rubbish everything said in this blog or sending their lackeys to comment in this blog & hurl more abuses/threats at ex-teachers/volunteers?And this sentence of yours made me have a good belly laugh: “ Now is an opportunity to make sure others involved in AOL do not have negative experiences like the ones you have been through.”I am so touched by your deep care/concern. You sound so like RS himself!Are you talking about the pathetic counter-blog? Is that the opportunity, RS & lackeys bestowing on us? Sir, you use that opportunity! I wouldn’t waste my time to go to any RS/AOL-president/ex-president/board-members counter-blog. It is like advising someone who is reporting criminal activities to go & lodge their complaints with the criminals themselves. I have got a better suggestion, why you & rest of AOL lackeys & agents, leave us alone & post all your comments in your own blog. Why don’t you leave this blog for those who are seeking healing, support & understanding? We can happily live without you & won’t be missing your presence & stupid comments & threats here. Why don’t you go & do any further PR & damage control you want to do in your own counter-blog?

I have sent this few time. Not sure if it is coming through?@Anon 9:33 PMWhy don't you say your name or at least the alias you said you used to write to artoflivingvalues (By the way, which values? fleecing people in name of spirituality, using charity money for lavish b’day parties for enlightened guru?!!To me a more appropriate name for that blog is AOLFreeOfAnyValues!)What are you scared of? Or are you one of the board members themselves? Too shy to say so, but so valiantly having come to their defence? Who are you trying to fool?You say you have no affiliation with AOL. Sure, sure, what a pathetic statement! You wouldn’t have visited this blog let alone write such a defensive & offensive reply to my comment, if you were not affiliated with AOL. One thing to say for AOL lackeys is that they have not been endowed with much intelligence & they assume everyone else is a fool like themselves & they perpetually try to deceive others!Your comment here, like both those pathetic counter-blogs, only doing more damage & exposing RS/AOL more, rather than doing any damage control. You gave the show away by saying the US counter blog is a “ genuine effort of those in charge to address some of the issues raised in this blog.”At least something we both agree on, that their blog IS A COUNTER_BLOG against Klim’s blog! How pathetic is that? What are they scared of, to the extent that the president & ex-president & board members themselves have come out writing a blog in defence of RS?! I would say, that in itself shows “guilty as charged” & give credence to everything exposed re RS in this blog. They wouldn’t be so scared if they believed there is no truth to the things written in this blog. They know they have been exposed for what they really are & that is their pathetic attempt to do damage control.They first tried with artoflivingfreefree counter-blog & man, what a disaster that was. In that one they had to change a post three times. And they were so pathetic they even dedicated the blog to KLIM & publicly saying so. What a promotion for KLIM’s blog that was & giving credibility to the truth of his blog. After that aborted counter-blogging attempt, next they came up with this new US blog, this time having learned their lessons (they do read KLIM’s blog, you know!!! In spite of their busy schedules!), they didn’t publicly promote KLIM’s blog or saying this is an Anti-Klim blog. And here you are spilling the beans. Of course we knew that was the case, but good to have confirmation from you, “Mr. No affliation with AOL”.continued in the next comment...

nandini sen is still asemi active volunteer and so also all her sisters are extremely overactive in the org. i have done 2 advance courses and numerous yes + but i still prefer 2 do guided meditation over kriya i still eat fish and seafood onion and garlic. the thing is not 2 get too cowed into following an organistion , there are some ancient things which sri sri has revived in india and he is become an all too powerful personality and ive been in aol for 4 years now only thing one should be sensible while following such things: i mingle with all my friend sand have many close friends who are non aol so? i go 2 orphanages and hospitals and do seva there i think tha is also acceptable 2 a guru who projects his tecahings as accept people and situations as they are .. my grandparents run their own charitable school and hospital in north india so that is also seva is it not? i believe one first first surrender to God and then let things take its own course look what happened 2 nithyananda swami in india he was eventually exposed so i do belive that sri sri is atleast 50% genuine and 50% marketing ....and i do believe aol is changing a lot ..

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This blog was created with the sole purpose of providing former Art of Living members and currently doubting ones a space for healing, finding answers, understanding processes that we went through as active members and as "drop-outs", sharing, supporting each other, with understanding, compassion, and above all, freedom and forgiveness. We welcome you to share your stories. Authors will be kept confidential unless you request your name be published.

Helpful Books

"Take Back your Life: Recovering from Cult and Abusive Relationships" by Janja Lalich

"The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power" by Joel Kramer

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Opinions expressed in this blog are an expression of free speech and are protected as free speech. At no time is any content posted by the blog creator knowingly false. Opinions expressed in articles and files on this blog are those of the contributors and those opinions may not necessarily be shared by anyone involved in the creation of this blog. Events described in this blog are as accurate as memory and recollection permit. The experiences described in this blog is unique to the authors. You may have a more or less satisfying experience with the Art of Living Foundation or its related organizations.